Brendon's '67 Firebird thread by Tuske427

3 minute(s) of a 286 minute read

Thank you. The dipping process removed most of the rust, but it's still in the cracks and heard to reach areas. This is why I was disappointed with the dipping process. Being submersed in liquid, I'd think that it should reach to just about every area (except for metal that is pinched/ welded together)

However, I'll be replacing and modifying a lot of panels, so I should be able to get to any remaining areas not cleaned already.

I'll use a combination of methods to remove any remaining rust.  

Tonight we measured my car, and tightened down the subframe based on the best frame/ body alignment we could calculate. This is so we can work on calculating the suspension and axle size. Of course, it'll come off again, and have to be re measured again....

I'll have to take a few days off as I need to prepare (clean) the house for guests coming later this week. I should get back on this Sat. I'll work on preliminary assembly of the front suspension, as well as building a mock up tire in cardboard (cheaper than buying the real tires at this time as I have extra cardboard and hot melt glue). Then I can work on calculating the max width for the axle that will fit in my car.

4-21-2010

Not sure how well you can see this- but there are 2 bars going across the car. one in place of the rear axle. the other is pressed up against the DSE upper control arm mounts.

There are strings and plumb bobs and sharpie marks all over the car and bars.

4-25-2010

This weekend I had limited time to work on this, but I think I made some progress. I don't have the tires I want yet, but I do know the size and overall dimensions, so I mocked up a set in cardboard as place holders. I had plenty of cardboard leftover from my goodmark panel shipment, and this is light to move around.

I also started to install the front suspension for mocking up purposes. I understand that with the DSE suspension/ stock frame there is a wheel width limitation of 7". Although I mocked it up. I'm not exactly sure yet what the limiter is as I don't have my hubs or brakes yet (I can only guesstimate where the wheels will truly sit. ) If anyone has had any experience with this please chime in where the issues are so I can address them.

I also placed the back wheels in, and was happy to see it start to look like a paddle boat- I mean car again. Since I need to replace my quarters and mini tub the car- my neighbor had a good suggestion of widening the back body a bit. This will help maximize track width while keeping the tires inside the body. We mocked up a qtr panel and it looked good, but I apparently didn't get a pic of it, nor the car with the front body panels on.